QUESTION:
I am heading to the western U.S. for 6 to 8 weeks this summer with the sole purpose of creating a great “wild” experience for my suburban dog – hiking, swimming, camping instead of lying around in the leather chair in the family room for my Golden Retriever this summer!. I’m having trouble finding guides with dog friendly info to plan our trip. Any suggestions you have for books for WY/UT/CO that will help me plan this trip would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you ever so much!
– Kate
Racine, Wisconsin
ANSWER: Hi Kate – You have one lucky Golden Retriever 🙂
For dog-friendly hiking and camping in Colorado, a book that you may want to take a look at is Canine Colorado: Where to Go and What to Do with Your Dog. The author has a Golden Retriever herself, and covers the whole state of Colorado.
After a quick look at the table of contents, I noticed that she makes sure to discuss the three National Parks in Colorado (Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, and Mesa Verde), which you will definitely want to see!
Something else to think about when planning your action-packed trip: The National Forests are quite welcoming to pets, while the National Parks are a bit more restrictive. In Rocky Mountain National Park, for example, dogs are only allowed along roadside pullouts and in “developed park areas” (picnic areas and campsites).
Here is a list of National Forests by state.
Here are two other books you might find helpful:
One other resource is DogFriendly.com. They have accommodations by state, including a list of locations near Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in Wyoming.
Finally, before your adventure, take a look at the Outdoor Doggie items at REI. 🙂
Have a fantastic trip!
Happy trails!
Hiking Lady
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